Back to the basics: Hydration
Do you remember the episode of Spongebob where he goes into Sandy’s Treedome, which has no water in it? You could see that Spongebob started to turn into a dry prune without being properly hydrated. In that scene Spongebob says one of the most classic lines to ever be written.
I DON’T NEED WATER, I DON’T NEED WATER...................................................... I NEEEDDDDDD ITTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well just like Spongebob we are creatures that need to have water or our body’s will not function in a proper way. Studies have found that when water intake was decreased, mood was adversely affected. The individuals who reduced their water intake were less calm, more overwhelmed, and more prone to feelings of dissatisfaction. On the other hand, individuals who continually drank an appropriate amount of water were calm and satisfied (Pross et. al, 2014).
Below are just some benefits of proper hydration:
● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Moves nutrients and waste through your body
Keeps your blood pressure normal
Protects and cushions your joints and organs
Controls your body temperature and lowers your risk of heat stroke
Protects your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues.
Helps reduce headaches
Can help regulate sleep
When we allow ourselves to get dehydrated; our mental health even starts to be impacted. 60% of all our body is made up of water and better yet; the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water, muscles and kidneys are 79%, and even the bones are watery at 31% (Mitchell et. al, 1945).
Everyone requires a different amount of water to drink per day to keep them healthy depending on their general health, exercise levels, and health background. So, talk with your health care professional about the recommended amount of water you should be drinking daily.
—- Nick
Resources:
Mitchell, H.H., Hamilton, T.S., Steggerda, F.R., and Bean, H.W., 1945, The chemical composition of the adult human body and its bearing on the biochemistry of growth: Journal of Biological Chemistry, v. 158, issue 3, p. 625-637.
Pross, N., Demazières, A., Girard, N., Barnouin, R., Metzger, D., Klein, A., Perrier, E., & Guelinckx, I. (2014). Effects of changes in water intake on mood of high and low drinkers. PloS